[ad_1]
Guy Fawkes will once again be celebrated with public events and displays in Auckland this year, despite the ongoing controversy over the use of fireworks.
Auckland City Council and a number of national organizations have renewed calls to ban the private use and sale of fireworks, after a parliamentary select committee decided in August to leave the regulations as is.
With Guy Fawkes swiftly closing in, opponents are calling on the incoming Minister of the Environment to ban fireworks in private.
But as the debate progresses, preparations are underway for family-friendly exhibits for Aucklandites to enjoy.
READ MORE:
* Mt Wellington / Maungarei fire caused by fireworks, prompts call for sales ban
* The detail: when Guy Fawkes night is all year
* Guy Fawkes 2019: Big Fires in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch
The city organizes a series of big events in November, since the safest thing is to leave it in the hands of the professionals.
Joel mcdowell
Public fireworks displays are performed by professionals and ideal for families (file photo).
It is the preferred option for animal welfare organizations like the SPCA, which does not support the private sale of fireworks to the public.
Here are the great public fireworks displays that take place in the region.
SALTER CARTAGE SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS
The next Waikaraka Family Speedway racing event begins October 31 and there will be a fireworks display.
Stockcars, superstocks, supersaloons, modified and six shooter races begin at 7pm.
French fries, hot dogs, hamburgers and donuts, plus hot coffee, will be available for purchase on site.
Doors open at 5pm.
Tickets are available online. Tickets for adults are $ 31.75 and children ages 8-15 are $ 16.38.
Children under 7 years old are free.
Murray Wilson / Stuff
A fireworks display will be part of the upcoming Waikaraka Family Speedway racing event (File photo).
WESTERN SPRINGS SPEEDWAY OPENING NIGHT
Enjoy a night of action on the track on November 7 with midget, TQ and the V8 sprintcars at Western Springs.
It’s opening night and they’ll be the Auckland dwarf champions.
The evening will conclude with a fireworks display.
Doors open at 4pm.
Tickets are available online. Tickets for adults are $ 26.62 and children ages 5-14 are $ 6.12.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Western Springs Speedway 2020 opening night will end with a fireworks display (File photo).
OREWA SURF AND SOUNDS
Head to the Orewa Surf Life Saving Club on November 28 for a summer concert and fireworks on the beach.
The event starts at 5.30pm and lasts until 9.30pm.
There will be food trucks, face painting, and live music.
Unless you have a valid mobility card, parking is at the Western Reserve, which is a 600-meter walk from the event.
Dogs are not allowed or bring your own fireworks.
Attendance is free.
Supplied
The SPCA has been lobbying for the private sale of fireworks to be banned for many decades (File photo).
SPOOKS AND SPARKS
Combine Halloween and Guy Fawkes celebrations into one night at The Trusts Arena’s annual Spooks and Sparks event.
Head to the arena on November 28 and experience family entertainment in the run-up to a laser show and fireworks after dark.
Doors open at 5.30pm. M. And families can enjoy rides, a variety of food options, and a bouncy castle.
Frozen II It will be played on a big screen and other entertainment includes a live action police screen, a skydiving show and much more.
People are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes.
Tickets are available online. Tickets for adults are $ 25 and children under 15 are $ 12.50.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Damage to Auckland’s Maunga during Guy Fawkes celebrations and fireworks in the past has seen them shut down for a week in 2020.
AUCKLAND MOUNTAIN CLOSED
Fourteen maunga administered by the Tūpuna Maunga or Tāmaki Makaurau Authority will be closed from Monday, November 2 to Sunday, November 8 from 7:30 p.m. until the normal opening hours of doors the following day.
A team of professional security personnel and volunteers will patrol the maunga during those hours to explain the closings and politely ask people to leave the maunga.
The move comes after large fires in Maungarei / Mt Wellington and Maungawhau / Mt Eden on Guy Fawkes night in 2019.
The authority said its decision was reconfirmed after fireworks caused a major fire that swept through the Te Pane o Mataaho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain crater in December and another fire in Maungarei / Mt Wellington in April 2020.
In October, another fire ripped through the lower slopes of Maungarei / Mt Wellington, caused by a group of youths playing with fireworks, he said.
“For the past six years we have been confident that the public will adhere to the ban on fireworks in the maunga and obey the signage,” said President Paul Majurey.
“That hasn’t worked, and we continue to see fireworks-related fires set by people who can’t resist putting personal fun above public safety and respect for these taonga.
“These fires are serious: they cause significant damage and great pressure on fire and emergency services.”
Majurey said the authority remained disappointed with the select committee’s decision in August not to ban the private sale and use of fireworks.
He has joined Auckland Councilors Cathy Casey and Fa’anana Efeso Collins, and a number of national organizations calling on the incoming Minister of the Environment to ban fireworks in private.
Jason Dorday / Stuff
Fireworks tore through the crater of Māngere Mountain in December.
Todd O’Donoghue of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, a national fire risk management adviser, said he wanted a much safer and less rugged Guy Fawkes in 2020.
O’Donoghue described Guy Fawkes in 2019 as “very disappointing,” with crews attending 237 fireworks-related calls between November 6 and 9.
“We saw large fires set by fireworks in Palmerston North and Auckland, as well as incidents of people firing fireworks from cars and people or structures,” he said.
“This is dangerous behavior and creates a high degree of risk for our communities.
“We would like that Guy Fawkes not be repeated.”
The closed mountains are:
- Drop / Shake Mountain
- Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill
- Maungarei / Mount Wellington
- Mount eden
- Maungauika / North Head
- Irakawairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mount Albert
- Ōhinerau / Mount Hobson
- Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain
- Ōtāhuhu / Mount Richmond
- Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill
- Te Kōpuke / Tītīkōpuke / Mount San Juan
- Alto / Mount Victoria
- Glass Head / Clothing / Slack Mountain
- Riukiuta / Big King Belt
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Charred scrub from a major fire in Maungarei / Mt Wellington in April 2020.
CELEBRATING GUY FAWKES AT HOME
If you don’t want to go to a public display, there are rules for buying and lighting fireworks.
Fireworks are only on sale for the four days through Guy Fawkes, November 2-5.
You must be 18 years old and have a valid ID to purchase fireworks, as well as alcohol.
There are also rules about what types of fireworks are sold.
According to the Environmental Protection Authority, fireworks should not be sold to the public unless they have been tested and have a test certificate confirming that they meet the requirements of the Hazardous Substances (Fireworks) Regulations 2001.
Sparklers cannot be sold individually and can only be sold in retail fireworks packages. A retail fireworks package can contain up to 50 sparklers, but must contain at least three other fireworks. The package must be constructed of fire resistant material and have been certified by a test certifier.
SPCA
The SPCA has a number of tips for keeping animals safe when fireworks are fired in private, including keeping them indoors (file photo).
If you choose to launch fireworks in private, or if those close to you are, SPCA has some tips on how to keep animals safe.
- Never let fireworks go out near animals
- Stay home with your pet – they’ll be less stressed with someone close they trust
- Keep them inside; they won’t see the sparkles and the bangs will be muffled. Close doors and windows and draw curtains. Turn up the volume on your radio or television to help drown out loud knocks with familiar sounds
- Make sure your cat or dog has a comfortable place to hide, such as an igloo, box, cage, or a place they feel safe to retreat to.
- Try a compression wrap for dogs, like a thunder shirt
- Exercise your dog early in the day to avoid going out at dusk when fireworks could explode
- Both cats and dogs must have a microchip and a collar and an identification tag with their contact details. If your pet panics and runs away, it will help you reunite with your pet
- Try to be calm and reassuring. Be especially careful around elderly or nervous pets, but try not to hug your pet too much, as this can encourage anxious behavior.
- Never punish your pets when they are scared. This will only worsen your fear and stress levels.
- Keep horses and farm animals away from fireworks. Make sure all fences are secure. Stable horses whenever possible. Do this well in advance so the animals have a chance to get used to their new surroundings.
- Don’t forget small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, or chickens. Keep them hidden or even inside for the night.
- Be aware that for some animals, fireworks can be a real phobia and may need to be treated with medication. Talk to your vet about your options before the fireworks start.
